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VOL. Y.
NEW YOKE, JUNE 20TH TO JULY 5TH, 1882.
A GHAT WITH MATERNA.
No. 22
er who is compelled to adhere closely to the Bcore,
and whose voice and style do not admit of extrav-
agances."
"I notice from our European exchanges that
INTERESTING OPINIONS OP THE GREAT ARTIST.
Wagner's operas were very favorably received in
London."
"Certainly; that was expected on my part, and
H E R VIEWS ON WAGNER'S OPERAS AND THEIR
they would produce the same result here that
PROPER PRESENTATION IN AMERICA—MU-
they did in England. His works are permanent
SICAL CULTURE IN NEW YORK—
now; they are universal. In some respects a pro-
found impression could not have been produced
COMPLIMENTS FOR T H B
in London, on account of certain parts of the cast;
MUSICAL CRITIC
yet, taken all in all, the works must have been ren-
AND TRADE
dered well. Will Neumann come here?"
REVIEW.
"It is vaguely reported to that effect, although
A
Hotel, was invited by Mme. Materna into her
REPRESENTATIVE of THE MUSICAL CRITIC
AND TRADE REVIEW, while at the Windsor
with only one or, probably, two singers who could
produce an effect upon the audience in a solo or
duet, while the balance of the singers were only
indifferent, and still the opera was a success. In
such a case a Wagner opera would be a perfect
failure, if not a farce. By this time the musical
world has recognized this point, and it would be
a great advance in the art here if, under proper
direction, Wagner's works could be produced in
America."
"We hope they will be soon, and, judging from
the temper of our people, especially in this cos-
mopolitan city, the fullest appreciation would be
accorded them."
"Yes, I know the people here are susceptible to
in the number of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE the highest forms of art, and therefore I am now
REVIEW of June 20 you will find that our paper more anxious than ever to do that which I have
doubts the report."
expected to do—sing in a Wagner opera cycle here,
if possible."
"We hope that such an opportunity will be
granted at an early day. There is no doubt that
our musical people are anxious to hear Wagner's
works under the proper auspices."
"I expect there will be a great representation at
Bayreuth this summer," said Mme. Materna in
conclusion, "and by all means do not fail to send
^apartments, where he was favored with an inter-
esting conversation in German with the great
^artist just before her departure for Bremen.
Mme. Materna, in referring to the last issue of
this journal, containing the pictures of Conly and
Bietzel, spoke of the latter, who played the piano
part during the rehearsals of the May Festival.
me THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW when
" I was terribly shocked," she said, "on hearing
I get across the water. I want every number, in
of this sad accident. I remember how excellently
order to ascertain the current musical events in
he accompanied the last rehearsal I had with him
America and the views you express on musical
in the "Gotterdammerung," and ever since the
events in Europe. Here is my permanent ad-
fatal accident I kave felt downcast. What a hor-
dress."
rible disaster!"
A mutual exohange of auf wiedersehns followed,
"I hope you have had no other disagreeable
and our representative left one of the most charm-
-episodes during your stay in this country?" said
ing artists on the musical stage of the present
our representative.
day.
"Disagreeable!" she exclaimed. "Why, I need
hardly mention again how heartily I have been
welcomed at every appearance, and how con-
tinuous and unequivocal that welcome has been.
I must tell you that my sojourn in this country
has been one of the most gratifying experiences
MISS AUGUSTA ROCHE.
of my life. It is a wonderful country of wonder-
ful people."
' I ^HIS artist, who has become a great favorite
J_ of New York audiences, was born in London,
"And your art experience here?"
England, where she began the study of music at an
"I wish especially to refer to that in your valu-
early age. She devoted herself at the start entire-
able paper. You must know that I refused in the
ly to concert and oratorio music, and was at that
first instance to come to this country under the
time a member of the London Academy of Music,
conditions that were subsequently fulfilled. Now
and a favorite pupil of Signor Manuel Garcia. Her
you will ask me why, and I will tell you just how
first appearance was at one of the Academy
it was. My desire was to appear in opera in this
Concerts, St. James's Hall, London. She was
country, as I felt, and now know after the ex-
one of the first vocalists that appeared at the
perience at the May Festival, that a public inex-
orchestral concerts at the Albert Hall, which
perienced in Wagner's later works eannot appreci-
wera given under the auspices of the Duke of
ate their intrinsic merits on hearing them without
Edinburgh. She was for many years principal con-
their proper adjuncts, and necessarily the soloists
tralto of the Roman Catholic Church of San Josef,
suffer in the same ratio as the composition itself.
London. About three years ago she began her
Every artist is aware of the difference between a
operatic career, and was selected byMr. D'Oyly
performance of an operatic scene in a concert
Carte to create the role of Ruth in the "Pirates
simply, and on the stage with the proper surround-
of Penzance," in which she achieved remarka-
ings, wliere all the histrionic effects can be brought
ble success in England, Scotland, and Ire-
out to give the increased and the indispensable
land. Last Fall Miss Roche came to this country
effect to the music. I feared that my appearance
to assume the role of Lady Jane in "Patience,"
in concert in the great "Niebeluagen" scenes would
and her excellent rendition, of the part has identi-
place me at a disadvantage, although I must say I
fied her name with it. She sang first at the
was greatly surprised at the remarkable results
AUGUSTA ROCHE AS LADY JANE.
Standard Theatre, and is now singing at the Bijou
and the enthusiasm which the scenes produced."
Opera House, wliere her first success has been
"It was a fortunate event for music that you did
reaffirmed. It is quite probable that during the
decide to come here."
coming Fall she will sing in the large cities of the
"Well," replied Mme. Materna, "it was due " I think if a powerful cast were included—not a Union.
chiefly to Theodore Thomas, and the reputation he cast selected at ramdom or for cheapness—that
enjoys in Europe, that brought me to that decision. with the proper scenic surroundings and a com-
I desired to assist in a presentation of Wagner's petent orchestra, Wagner's 'Niebelungen' and all
works in this country, and after awhile my scruples of his later works would cause a sensation here,
were overcome, and you know the result. Still it and on that occasion I would like to sing my
The old directors of the Academy of Music,
is only in opera, as I before remarked, that these 'Briinhilde.' Wagner's operas must be performed Philadelphia, have been re-elected. From the
great effects can be produced You also know with punctilious care in every detail; not alone statement presented at the meeting, it was found
that a dramatic singer produces the only just im- the leading role, but every minor one must be in that the receipts for the past year were $32,326.63,
pression—just to the work, and just to herself— competent hands, and each injunction that he has and expenses $29,701.23.
when she can give expression to the sentiment made must be carefully carried out. His operas
with dramatic accent, if that word can convey my are not to be compared to those in which a 'star,'
Mr. Milward Adams, manager of the late Music
meaning. Color ateur singers, of which there are as it is called, can assume the whole respon- Festival in Chicago, has secured Theo. Thomas
so many, can sing the arias of the Italian operas sibility and carry the work through with a few and orchestra for a series of concerts, beginning
of the past in a concert successfully, although arias. It is necessary that an ensemble of compe- June 19. The first was to take place in Milwau-
in many cases the most powerful impressions are tent artists should interpret every point intelli- kee, Wis. The Summer Night Concerts, under
made by a false trill at the close. But such gently, otherwise the effect is marred. How often Thomas's direction, at the Exposition Building,
.methods cannot be resorted to by a dramatic sing- you have seen the old style of operas produced Chicago, will begin July 3.
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